Elisabeth von Nassau-Saarbrücken
Elisabeth von Nassau-Saarbrücken was a notable French noblewoman born in the late 1300s, with ties to both French and German cultures due to her family's political influence. Her father, Frederick V of Lorraine, was involved in politics in both nations, which likely fostered her literary interests and education. In 1412, Elisabeth married Philip von Nassau-Saarbrücken and had three children. Following her husband's death in 1429, she took on the governance of their territory, effectively ruling on behalf of her eldest son.
Elisabeth’s second marriage was to Count Henry IV of Blamont in 1430, and she demonstrated remarkable educational prowess, being fluent in French and German. She is recognized as one of the first women in Germany to write secular literature, focusing on translating French chansons de geste into German prose after stepping down as head of her family. Among her notable translations are "Herpin," "Sibille," "Loher und Maller," and "Huge Scheppel," the latter being particularly popular. Elisabeth von Nassau-Saarbrücken passed away in the mid-15th century and was laid to rest at the Collegiate Church of Saint Arnual near Saarbrücken.
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Elisabeth von Nassau-Saarbrücken
Author
- Born: Between 1393 and 1395
- Birthplace: Lothringen (now in France)
- Died: January 17, 1456
- Place of death: Saarbrücken, Germany
Biography
Elisabeth von Nassau-Saarbrücken was a French noblewoman born in the late 1300’s to Margarethe of Vaudémont-Joinville and Frederick V of Lorraine, the younger brother of Charles I, the duke of Lorraine. Nassau-Saarbrücken’s father held political influence in both France and Germany, which may explain Nassau-Saarbrücken’s interest in both French and German culture.
In 1412, she married a count, Philip von Nassau-Saarbrücken of Germany. The couple had three children, two sons and one daughter. Philip von Nassau-Saarbrücken died in 1429 and Elisabeth von Nassau-Saarbrücken assumed control of the government and maintained rule over the family’s rule on behalf of her oldest son. In 1430, she married Count Henry IV of Blamont who died in 1441.
As a member of the aristocratic upper class, it appears that Nassau-Saarbrücken was exceptionally well-educated, being able to read and write not only in French, but also in German. Through family ties, she had many contacts to the literary courts of France and Germany. She began her work on translations officially after stepping down as head of the family in 1437. Her goal was to provide German readers with access to French chansons de geste (verse narratives about Charlemagne and his court). Nassau-Saarbrücken used a manuscript of French chansons de geste commissioned by her mother in 1405 to translate four of the texts into German prose. Her works include Herpin, Sibille, Loher und Maller, and Huge Scheppel, all of which she worked on around the late 1430’s.
Nassau-Saarbrücken was one of Germany’s first women writers of secular works. Practically all of the German women writers before Saarbrücken wrote solely religious works. Huge Scheppel was Nassau-Saarbrücken’s most popular work. Nassau-Saarbrücken died toward the middle of the fifteenth century. She was entombed at the Collegiate Church of Saint Arnual near Saarbrücken.